Obesity has become a significant public health concern. Losing weight often involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits, but some individuals turn to weight loss pills for assistance. Fastin, a dietary supplement marketed for weight loss, and phentermine, a prescription medication, are two such options. This article provides a detailed overview of these substances, their ingredients, potential side effects, and important considerations for their use.
Fastin: A Dietary Supplement
Fastin is marketed as a fat burner and diet pill designed to provide energy, motivation, and appetite suppression. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals manufactures it. It aims to speed up metabolism, helping the body burn fat for energy while preserving muscle mass.
Ingredients in Fastin
Fastin contains a blend of herbal stimulant compounds. The central ingredient is Phenylethylamine HCL (PEA), a stimulant known for its mood-boosting and appetite-suppressing effects. Other ingredients include:
- Phenylethylamine HCl: A stimulant that can boost mood and decrease appetite.
- Theobromine Anhydrous: A mild stimulant found in chocolate with diuretic properties.
- Yohimbine HCl: Used to aid in fat loss during fasting.
Dosage and Usage
Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals recommends taking 1-2 Fastin tablets in the morning on an empty stomach, followed by an additional tablet in the afternoon, also on an empty stomach. The daily dosage should not exceed 4 tablets.
Warnings and Precautions for Fastin
- Not for use by individuals under 18 years of age.
- Not to be used during pregnancy or nursing.
- This product can raise blood pressure and interfere with other drugs.
- Individuals who consume caffeine with this product may experience serious adverse health effects.
- Those sensitive to caffeine should consult a healthcare professional before use.
- Do not consume Synephrine or caffeine from other sources.
- Do not use for more than 8 weeks.
- Consult with a physician prior to use if taking medication, including MAOI inhibitors, aspirin, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or products containing phenylephrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or other stimulants.
- Discontinue 2 weeks before surgery or if experiencing rapid heartbeat, dizziness, severe headache, or shortness of breath.
- Avoid alcohol while taking this product.
- Exceeding the recommended serving may cause serious adverse health effects, including heart attack and stroke.
Important Note
The efficacy and safety claims made about Fastin have not been verified by the Food and Drug Administration. It should not be used as a remedy for diagnosing, treating, curing, or averting any health conditions.
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Phentermine: A Prescription Medication
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant used for a limited time to aid weight loss in overweight individuals who are exercising and following a low-calorie diet. It belongs to a class of medications called anorectics and works by decreasing appetite.
How Phentermine Works
Phentermine may work by interacting with certain chemicals in the brain to reduce appetite.
Forms and Dosage
Phentermine is available as tablets and extended-release capsules. It is typically taken as a single daily dose in the morning or three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. Follow the prescription label carefully and take phentermine exactly as directed. Most people take phentermine for 3 to 6 weeks, but the duration of treatment depends on individual response.
Important Considerations Before Taking Phentermine
- Allergies: Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to phentermine or any of its ingredients.
- MAO Inhibitors: Avoid phentermine if you are taking or have recently taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
- Other Medications: Discuss all current medications with your doctor and pharmacist before taking phentermine.
- Medical Conditions: Inform your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or glaucoma.
- Pregnancy and Breast-feeding: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- Age: Older adults should generally avoid phentermine due to safety concerns.
- Drowsiness: Be aware that phentermine may cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
- Alcohol: Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking phentermine.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you may need to decrease your insulin dose while taking phentermine.
Potential Side Effects of Phentermine
Phentermine may cause several side effects, ranging from common to serious.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Unpleasant taste
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Fast heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness or feeling uneasy
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Tremors
- Changes in sex drive or inability to get or keep an erection or orgasm
Serious Side Effects
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Tremor
- Insomnia
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Swelling of the legs and ankles
- Difficulty doing exercise that you have been able to do
- Increased Blood Pressure in the Lungs (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension)
- Heart Valve Problems (Valvular Heart Disease)
- Severe Allergic Reactions
- Changes in Alertness or Coordination.
What to do in Case of Overdose
Manifestations of acute overdosage with phentermine include restlessness, tremor, hyperreflexia, rapid respiration, confusion, assaultiveness, hallucinations, panic states. Fatigue and depression usually follow the central stimulation. Cardiovascular effects include arrhythmias, hypertension or hypotension, and circulatory collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Fatal poisoning usually terminates in convulsions and coma.
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Storage and Disposal
Store phentermine at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Dispose of unneeded medications properly, using a medicine take-back program if available. Keep the medication in a safe location, out of reach of children and pets.
Interactions with Other Medications
Phentermine has several potential drug interactions. It is essential to inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Specific interactions include:
- MAO Inhibitors: Concurrent use is contraindicated.
- Other Weight Loss Medications: Avoid using phentermine with similar medications.
- Diabetes Medications: Phentermine may affect blood sugar levels, requiring adjustments in insulin dosage.
- SSRIs: Medications commonly used for anxiety and depression.
- Alpha-blockers: Medications that may be used for high blood pressure and/or difficulty peeing due to an enlarged prostate.
- Beta-blockers: Medications that may be used for certain heart conditions or to reduce blood pressure
- Any other medicine that contains phentermine
Misuse and Dependence
Phentermine can cause tolerance, which means your body gets used to a medicine and it seems to stop working for you. Misusing phentermine can lead to serious side effects like hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take phentermine exactly as prescribed.
General Precautions
- Doctor's Supervision: It is crucial to use phentermine only under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
- Regular Check-ups: Regular visits to your doctor are necessary to monitor your progress and check for any unwanted effects.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Phentermine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Driving and Operating Machinery: Exercise caution while driving or operating machinery, as phentermine may cause dizziness or reduced alertness.
- Alcohol Consumption: Avoid alcohol consumption while using phentermine.
- Other Medications: Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.
FDA and Legal Considerations
Fastin, manufactured by Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals, faced issues with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 due to the inclusion of Dimethylamylamine HCl (DMAA), an illegal food additive. The FDA acted to prevent the distribution of products containing this unapproved additive, and U.S. Marshals seized dietary supplements worth over $2 million from Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals.
Phentermine is a controlled substance, and prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
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Alternatives for Obesity Treatment
Weight loss pills are not meant for long-term use. In addition to weight loss pills, there are other alternatives for obesity treatment, including:
- Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Combining a well-balanced diet with regular exercise is a sustainable approach to weight loss.
- Bariatric Surgery: For individuals with severe obesity, bariatric surgery may be an option. Procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy can help reduce stomach size and promote weight loss.